Majority Markets Articles

A New Social Enterprise Brings Artists and Technology Together in the Caribbean “Islandz”

One of the winners of an IDB business plan competition for social enterprise projects in the Caribbean tourism sector presents his new venture, which is bringing authentic Bahamian art into the digital age--and into the pockets of mobile device owners.

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Resources from the 1st BASE Forum, June 27-28, 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Access resources from the 1st BASE Forum, hosted by the IDB's Opportunities for the Majority Initiative June 27-28 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Content includes video from plenary discussions, speaker presentation materials and more.

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The First BASE Forum: Sharing Success Stories

In Sao Paulo, Brazil on June 27-28, 2011, the IDB's Opportunities for the Majority Initiative held its first international conference, the BASE Forum for the Development of the Base of the Pyramid in Latin America and the Caribbean. Highlights from the event, links to speaker presentations and more follow.

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A New Housing Solution for the Base of the Pyramid in Latin America?

Opportunities for the Majority investment officer Susan Olsen talks about the challenges of finding housing solutions that work for low-income families, and spotlights a new "rent to own" concept that has caught her attention.

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From Brasilia to the Base of the Pyramid: An Interview with Luiz Ros

Luiz Ros, manager of the IDB's Opportunities for the Majority Initiative, talks about his roots in Brazil and his hopes for the upcoming BASE Forum in Sao Paulo.

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How Companies Use Distribution Platforms to Reach the Base of the Pyramid

For companies without prior experience with Base of the Pyramid business models, an effective strategy can be partnering with a business, nonprofit or other organization that has an existing network in the targeted low-income community. At a recent IDB event, executives from several companies explained how they are successfully using this "platform" approach.

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IDB Brings Impact Investors Together to Support Rural Ecuadorian Communities

Three leading impact investors joined the IDB as co-lenders to an innovative savings and loan cooperative in rural Ecuador. Get the behind-the-scenes story on how the deal came together.

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Opportunities for the Majority Portfolio “Comes to Life” at Washington Workshop

On February 15, 2011, executives from many of Opportunities for the Majority's client companies spoke at an IDB workshop about their Base of the Pyramid business projects. Read on for a summary of the event, links to the speakers' presentations and more.

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Bringing Health Services to the BOP in Guatemala and Beyond

An innovative program, Salud a su Alcance ("Health Within Your Reach") is bringing affordable medical services to communities across Guatemala. Now, the program is preparing to expand into El Salvador.

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Eight Companies Join the Corporate Leaders Program for Success in Majority Markets

Eight companies have been selected to take part in the Corporate Leaders Program for Success in Majority Markets and will now receive expert advice on developing their BOP business concepts into detailed business plans.

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